You have a perfectly neat and clean kitchen when everything is organized and shining, but the dishwasher smells when running. Don’t worry, following a few simple tricks and techniques, you can easily make your dishwasher smell fresh and clean.
A little extra care can go a long way in improving the performance and longevity of your appliance, saving you the hassle and headache of having to replace it frequently.
So, take a few minutes out of your schedule to give your dishwasher the attention it deserves. Enjoy the benefits of a cleaner, fresher-smelling kitchen.
In this article, you will learn different types of dishwasher smell, its cause, and how you can get out of this problem. You will learn the step-by-step procedure to remove the stink from your appliance.
Sometimes people do not take care of their appliances properly, due to which dishwasher smells when running. This article also covers how to address problems that may cause odors to persist even after cleaning so that your appliance remains fresh and clean.
Table of Contents
Types of Dishwasher Smells And What They Mean
Are you worried about why your dishwasher stinks? You are not alone. There are several causes why your dishwasher smells when running. Different smell types arise due to several reasons. By smell type, you can tell what could be the cause of the odor.
Sometimes it’s easy to detect and solve the problem, and not so easy other times. Here some of the types and their causes are enlisted with their solution. You can try these at home or seek help from a professional if the issue persists.
Dishwasher Smells Like Cat Piss When Running
Your dishwasher can stink like cat piss if you have a cat. A cat may have peed under your dishwasher, and you may not have cleaned it properly afterward. If you do not have a cat and still smell cat piss from your dishwasher, then could be due to other common reasons.
Sometimes warmth provided by the dishwasher attracts pests such as mice. Mice find a perfect nest in the insulation of the appliance with warmth or sometimes get entrapped and die in the insulation.
Check your insulation and under-appliance thoroughly.
To get rid of it, use a dehumidifier. Access to moisture in the area can also be a problem that your dishwasher smells when running.
Dishwasher Smells Like Rotten Eggs When Running
Dishwashers cause a foul, rotten egg smell because of several reasons. It could be because of not being cleaned properly, poor dirty water drainage, or a filthy blocked filter. People occasionally clean their dishwashers, which is wrong. You should clean it routinely.
Otherwise, food particles build up and cause a rotten egg smell. Another potential reason could be a clogged filter. Filters should be regularly changed as food particles can get stuck, rot, and cause a foul smell.
Poor drainage systems can trap dirty water and circulate a rotten smell. So drainage should be kept clear and clean.
Dishwasher Smells Like Dirty Water When Running
If your dishwasher smells like dirty water when running, something might be wrong with the sink pipes. The sewage line to which sink pipes are attached may get clogged and entrap bad smell, and this dirty water smell gets back to the dishwasher through the pipes.
To solve this problem, clean the clogged pipes if you can do it by yourself or call professional plumbers. As they snake the line to clear out the clog.
To prevent this situation in the future, properly clear scraps of food from the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. Use quality detergents to wash dishes and run clean water cycles with an empty dishwasher.
My Dishwasher Smells Like Garlic
If you’re experiencing a strong garlic odor coming from your dishwasher, the reason could be garlic residue trapped in the filter from washing dishes or containers, such as garlic paste jars.
Clean the filters in the bottom of the dishwasher and inspect the interior for any leftover food particles.
To deodorize the dishwasher, fill a bowl with white vinegar, place it upright inside the dishwasher, and run a clean water cycle. Avoid spilling the vinegar inside the dishwasher for optimal results.
These simple steps will leave your dishwasher smelling fresh and clean while also prolonging its lifespan.
My Dishwasher Smells Like Plastic
If you are worried about a burning plastic-like smell coming from your dishwasher, stop the dishwasher and check it thoroughly. Sometimes plastic containers or plastic lids can fall onto the heater, causing a burning plastic smell.
Be careful when removing plastic from the heater – do not touch the plastic while the heater is still hot. Let it cool down first; otherwise, it can cause serious burn injuries.
Cleaning many kitchen items in the dishwasher is a no-no, including cleaning bamboo woks and types of plastic.
The heater in the dishwasher is used to heat the water to speed up the removal of grease or moisture from the dishes and to clean the interior walls of the appliance.
My Dishwasher Smells Like Mildew
If you notice a mildew/mold-like smell emanating from your dishwasher, it’s a clear indication that you’re not cleaning it properly. The moisture and heat in the dishwasher create the perfect breeding ground for mildew and mold to grow.
The gasket and door seals are often neglected during cleaning and can become a breeding ground for mildew, causing your dishwasher to emit a foul odor.
Clean the gasket and door seals using a damp cloth and soap to inhibit mildew growth.
It will not only remove any existing mildew but also inhibit its growth in the future.
My Dishwasher Smells – How Do I Clean It?
Regular and proper cleaning will help you get rid of bad smells from your dishwasher. Much like smells coming from your other kitchen appliances, the smell can be hard to remove.
The burnt popcorn smell from the microwave is a perfect example.
Cleaning your dishwasher is a necessary house chore that most people ignore.
By cleaning the appliance properly, you can get a nice and clean smell free dishwasher.
It will also increase the lifetime of your appliance and help it work properly and gently on your dishes.
Here are some easy and useful tips to make your appliance smell-free. You can get rid of the dishwasher smell when running by following some simple steps
Clean drain filter
Some people do not discard leftovers from the dishes properly. This causes the big food particles to get stuck into the filters, remain there, and rot.
Clean your appliances routinely but also pay attention to cleaning drain filters. It is very easy to clean filters by using soap, water, or scrubs. So check your drain filters regularly, clean them, or change them when required.
Proper cleaning routine
Many dishwashers have automatic self-cleaning systems, leading some people to neglect routine cleaning of their appliances. However, even with a self-cleaning system, leftover food particles can accumulate and cause unpleasant odors.
For its prevention, it’s recommended to thoroughly clean the dishwasher, paying extra attention to areas around the filter where particles tend to accumulate. It will help keep your dishwasher fresh and properly functioning.
Dishwasher cleaning cycle with fresh water
Run cycles of clean fresh water in your empty dishwasher to remove leftover food particles. You can also add citric acid compounds to the water to remove the grease. It will help you keep your appliance fresh and get rid of the dishwasher smell when running.
Odor neutralizers
If your dishwasher smells bad despite cleaning then you must use odor neutralizers. These are commonly available at stores, or you can make one at home. Common household items like vinegar, baking soda, and bleach can be used as odor neutralizers.
Just place a bowl of vinegar on the dishwasher rack and start the deep cleaning cycle.
Another method is to spread baking soda all over the bottom, leave it overnight, and start the clean water cycle in the morning.
Dishwasher Smells Even After Cleaning
Does your dishwasher smell when running even after cleaning? Clogged filters, poorly placed drain hoses, and damaged drain hoses can be the culprit.
A clogged filter with entrapped food caused a rotting smell. Clean the filter well. The damaged drain hose does not let the waste pass out completely and causes a rancid smell. Try to fix your damaged drain hose, clean it, or replace it with a new hose.
Check your drain hose position. If poorly placed or kinked, fix and unclog it by passing clean water. Inspect the garbage disposal attached to the dishwasher. It can also be the cause of smell if clogged. Give your dishwasher time to air out after cleaning, as the dishwasher might not be aired properly.
Whenever your dishwasher smells when running, use your nose to identify the type of smell. After carefully inspecting the type of smell and the area from where it is coming, immediately clean it. Before seeking professional help, try to fix it by yourself first.
